Alexandre Luigini was born in Lyons, France, on March 9, 1850. He was
the son of the distinguished conductor of the Théâtre-Italien in Paris.
After attending the Paris Conservatory—where he was a pupil of Massenet
and Massart among others—the younger Luigini played the violin in his
father’s orchestra. In 1870 he began a successful career as ballet
composer with _Le Rêve de Nicette_, given in Lyons. His greatest success
came with the _Ballet Égyptien_, first seen in Lyons in 1875. For twenty
years Luigini was the conductor of the Grand Theater in Lyons and
professor of harmony at the Lyons Conservatory. Until the end of his
life he was the conductor of the Opéra-Comique in Paris. He died in
Paris on July 29, 1906.
An orchestral suite derived from some of the most attractive pages of
the _Ballet Égyptien_ score is a favorite of bands and salon orchestras
everywhere. This is music striking for its Oriental-type melodies and
harmonies, and for its colorful orchestral hues. The first two movements
are particularly popular. The first begins with a strong and stately
theme, but midway comes a gayer section in an exotic Oriental style. The
second movement highlights a capricious subject for the woodwind, once
again in a recognizable Oriental style.